Solid-state imaging device and imaging apparatus

ABSTRACT

The solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor layer in which a surface side becomes a circuit formation surface, photoelectric conversion units PD1 and PD2 of two layers or more that are stacked and formed in the semiconductor layer, and a longitudinal transistor Tr1 in which a gate electrode is formed to be embedded in the semiconductor layer from a surface of the semiconductor layer. The photoelectric conversion unit PD1 of one layer in the photoelectric conversion units of the two layers or more is formed over a portion of the gate electrode of the longitudinal transistor Tr1 embedded in the semiconductor substrate and is connected to a channel formed by the longitudinal transistor Tr1.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/348,992 filed Mar. 1, 2014, which is the Section 371 National Stageof PCT/JP2012/075041 filed Sep. 28, 2012, the entireties of which areincorporated herein by reference to the extent permitted by law. Thepresent application claims the benefit of priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. JP 2011-223856 filed on Oct. 11, 2011, in the JapanPatent Office, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference hereinto the extent permitted by law.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technique relates to a solid-state imaging device suitablefor a longitudinal spectroscopic image sensor and an imaging apparatusincluding the solid-state imaging device.

BACKGROUND ART

In an image sensor according to the related art, color filters aregenerally formed in a Bayer array.

However, in the Bayer array, because light absorbed by each color filtercannot be used for photoelectric conversion, use efficiency of the lightmay be degraded by an amount corresponding to the color filters.

Therefore, for the purpose of raising use efficiency of light more thanthe color filters of the Bayer array to achieve high sensitivity or highresolution, a longitudinal spectroscopic image sensor in which aplurality of photodiodes are stacked in the same pixel has beensuggested (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1 to 3).

In the longitudinal spectroscopic image sensor using a siliconsubstrate, the photodiodes are stacked at different depths in silicon toperform a color separation using that an absorption wavelength of lightis different depending on a depth of the silicon substrate.

In addition, the charge is transferred to a surface of the siliconsubstrate through a charge transfer path (hereinafter, referred to as an“implantation plug”) formed by impurity implantation and having a chargegradient to read the charge from the photodiode formed in a deep portionof the silicon substrate.

Meanwhile, the charge that is accumulated in the photodiode near thesurface of the silicon substrate is read to a floating diffusion using atransfer gate.

In the longitudinal spectroscopic image sensor having theabove-described structure, when light leaks into the implantation plugor a field accumulation region near the surface, photoelectricconversion is generated by the leaked light.

However, because a wavelength component of the leaked light is differentfrom a wavelength component of light on which photoelectric conversionis executed by a photodiode connected to the implantation plug, thecharge by the light of the different wavelength components is mixed andcolor mixture is generated.

Therefore, a light shielding film needs to be formed on the implantationplug to perform superior color separation by preventing the colormixture from being generated.

Meanwhile, if the light shielding film is formed on the implantationplug, an aperture ratio on the photodiode decreases by an amountcorresponding to the implantation plug and sensitivity decreases, ascompared with a configuration of a photodiode of a single layer in whichthe implantation plug is not formed.

That is, in the structure of the longitudinal spectroscopic image sensoraccording to the related art, the merit of the superior use efficiencyof the light cannot be utilized. In addition, because the aperture ratiodecreases and the sensitivity decrease, the merit of the longitudinalspectrum cannot be utilized.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: JP 2005-12007 A-   Patent Document 2: JP 2005-151077 A-   Patent Document 3: JP 2006-278446 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In order to utilize the merits of the longitudinal spectroscopic imagesensor, it is desirable to realize a structure in which the colormixture can be prevented from being generated, without decreasing theaperture ratio on the photodiode.

An object of the present technique is to provide a solid-state imagingdevice having superior color separation and high sensitivity and animaging apparatus including the solid-state imaging device.

Solutions to Problems

A solid-state imaging device of the present technique includes: asemiconductor layer in which a surface side becomes a circuit formationsurface; photoelectric conversion units of two layers or more that arestacked and formed in the semiconductor layer; and a longitudinaltransistor in which a gate electrode is formed to be embedded in thesemiconductor layer from a surface of the semiconductor layer.

The photoelectric conversion unit of one layer in the photoelectricconversion units of the two layers or more is formed over a portion ofthe gate electrode of the longitudinal transistor embedded in thesemiconductor layer and is connected to the channel formed by thelongitudinal transistor.

An imaging apparatus according to the present technique includes anoptical system, the solid-state imaging device according to the presenttechnique, and a signal processing circuit that processes an outputsignal of the solid-state imaging device.

According to a configuration of the solid-state imaging device accordingto the present technique described above, the photoelectric conversionunit of one layer in the photoelectric conversion units of the twolayers or more is formed over a portion of the gate electrode of thelongitudinal transistor embedded in the semiconductor layer and isconnected to the channel formed by the longitudinal transistor.

Thereby, if the longitudinal transistor is turned on, the signal chargeon which photoelectric conversion has been executed by the photoelectricconversion unit connected to the channel of the longitudinal transistorcan be read to the surface side of the semiconductor layer to be thecircuit formation surface.

In addition, during a charge accumulation period during which thelongitudinal transistor is turned off, because the channel is not formedaround the photoelectric conversion unit and the longitudinaltransistor, the charge by light having the different wavelengths is notmixed and the color mixture is not generated. For this reason, eventhough a portion of the gate electrode is not covered with a lightshielding film, the color mixture can be prevented from being generated.Thereby, as compared with a structure in which a portion of animplantation plug is covered with the light shielding film, an apertureratio can be increased by widening an opening of the light shieldingfilm.

In addition, because the photoelectric conversion unit is formed overthe portion of the gate electrode embedded in the semiconductor layer,sensitivity can be improved by increasing an area of the photoelectricconversion unit, as compared with a structure in which the implantationplug is formed.

According to the configuration of the imaging apparatus according to thepresent technique described above, the imaging apparatus includes thesolid-state imaging device according to the present technique.Therefore, in the solid-state imaging device, even though the portion ofthe gate electrode is not covered with the light shielding film, thecolor mixture can be prevented from being generated. In addition, thesensitivity can be improved by increasing the area of the photoelectricconversion unit.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present technique described above, because the colormixture is not generated, color separation is superior and an imagehaving a superior image quality is obtained.

In addition, according to the present technique, because sensitivity canbe improved by increasing an area of a photoelectric conversion unit,the high sensitivity is obtained.

Therefore, a solid-state imaging device having a superior image qualityand high sensitivity and an imaging apparatus can be realized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view (plan view) of a solid-stateimaging device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the solid-stateimaging device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of a solid-stateimaging device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of a solid-stateimaging device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of a solid-stateimaging device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of a solid-stateimaging device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of a solid-stateimaging device according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a planar array of color filtersaccording to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural view (block diagram) of an imagingapparatus according to a seventh embodiment.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of a structure according tothe related art in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion unitsare stacked in a semiconductor substrate.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the case in which light is obliquelyincident in a configuration of FIG. 10A.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, best modes (hereinafter, referred to as embodiments) tocarry out the present technique will be described.

The description will be made in the following order.

1. First embodiment (solid-state imaging device)2. Second embodiment (solid-state imaging device)3. Third embodiment (solid-state imaging device)4. Fourth embodiment (solid-state imaging device)5. Fifth embodiment (solid-state imaging device)6. Sixth embodiment (solid-state imaging device)7. Modification of solid-state imaging device8. Seventh embodiment (Imaging apparatus)

1. First Embodiment (Solid-State Imaging Device)

A schematic structural view (plan view) of a solid-state imaging deviceaccording to a first embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1.

In addition, a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the solid-stateimaging device according to the first embodiment is illustrated in FIG.2.

This embodiment is obtained by applying the present technique to a CMOStype solid-state imaging device (CMOS image sensor).

A solid-state imaging device 1 according to this embodiment includes asolid-state imaging element obtained by forming a pixel unit (so-calledimaging region) 3 in which a plurality of pixels 2 each including aphotoelectric conversion unit are arranged regularly andtwo-dimensionally and a peripheral circuit unit including a drivingcircuit and the like in a semiconductor substrate 11, for example, asilicon substrate, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The pixel 2 has a photoelectric conversion unit and a pixel transistorcomposed of a MOS transistor.

As the pixel transistor, the pixel has at least one of, for example, atransfer transistor, a reset transistor, an amplification transistor,and a selection transistor.

The peripheral circuit unit has a vertical driving circuit 4, a columnsignal processing circuit 5, a horizontal driving circuit 6, an outputcircuit 7, a control circuit 8, and the like.

The vertical driving circuit 4 is configured by, for example, a shiftregister and selects a pixel driving wiring line, supplies pulses todrive the pixels to the selected pixel driving wiring line, and drivesthe pixels in a row unit. That is, the vertical driving circuit 4selectively scans the pixels 2 of the pixel unit 3 sequentially in therow unit in a vertical direction and supplies a pixel signal based on asignal charge generated according to a light reception amount in thephotoelectric conversion element (for example, a photodiode) of eachpixel 2 through a vertical signal line 9 to the column signal processingcircuit 5.

The column signal processing circuit 5 is arranged for each column ofthe pixels 2 and executes a signal process such as noise removal onsignals output from the pixels of one row, for each pixel column. Thatis, the column processing circuit 5 executes a signal process such asCDS to remove fixed pattern noise peculiar to the pixels 2, signalamplification, and AD conversion. A horizontal selection switch (notillustrated in the drawings) is connected between an output step of thecolumn signal processing circuit 5 and a horizontal signal line 10.

The output circuit 7 executes a signal process on a signal suppliedsequentially from each column signal processing circuit 5 through thehorizontal signal line 10 and outputs the signal.

An input/output terminal 12 exchanges a signal with the outside.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one pixel 2 of thesolid-state imaging device 1 of FIG. 1.

The solid-state imaging device according to this embodiment has aso-called back surface radiation type structure in which light is madeto be incident from the side opposite to a circuit or a wiring line tothe semiconductor substrate in which a light receiving unit is formed.

In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, two photoelectricconversion units PD1 and PD2 stacked in a depth direction of thesemiconductor substrate 11 are formed in one pixel.

Each of the photoelectric conversion units PD1 and PD2 is composed of aphotodiode formed in the semiconductor substrate 11.

In addition, a light reception surface on which light is incident isformed at the side of a back surface 16 of the semiconductor substrate11.

Meanwhile, although not illustrated in the drawings, a circuit includinga so-called read circuit and the like is formed at the side of a surface15 of the semiconductor substrate 11.

The first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 of the side of the backsurface 16 of the semiconductor substrate 11 in the two photoelectricconversion units PD1 and PD2 executes photoelectric conversion on blue Blight having a short wavelength. The second photoelectric conversionunit PD2 of the side of the surface 15 executes photoelectric conversionon read R light having a long wavelength. Thereby, a longitudinalspectroscopic image sensor is configured.

In the second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 of the side of thesurface 15 of the semiconductor substrate 11, a floating diffusion (FD)24 is provided at the left side through a transfer gate 23.

In this embodiment, particularly, a longitudinal transistor Tr1 isconnected to the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 of the side ofthe back surface 16 of the semiconductor substrate 11.

The longitudinal transistor Tr1 is configured to have a gate electrode21 formed to be embedded to an inner portion of the semiconductorsubstrate 11 from the side of the surface 15 of the semiconductorsubstrate 11.

Thereby, the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 is connected to achannel formed by the longitudinal transistor Tr1.

In addition, a floating diffusion (FD) 22 is provided in the surface 15of the semiconductor substrate 11 of the right side of the gateelectrode 21 of the longitudinal transistor Tr1.

In addition, the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 is formed overthe side of the back surface 16 of a portion 21A of the gate electrode21 of the longitudinal transistor Tr1 embedded in the semiconductorsubstrate 11.

In addition, a light shielding film 25 is formed to cover a portion ofthe back surface (light incident surface) 16 of the semiconductorsubstrate 11 in which the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 is notformed.

Here, a solid-state imaging device having a structure according to therelated art in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion units arestacked in a semiconductor substrate will be described with reference toFIGS. 10A, 10B and 11, for comparison with the present technique.

Cross-sectional views of the solid-state imaging device having thestructure according to the related art are illustrated in FIGS. 10A and10B.

As illustrated in FIG. 10A, in the solid-state imaging device, animplantation plug 60 formed to extend in a vertical direction of asemiconductor substrate 51 is used in charge transferring from a secondphotoelectric conversion unit PD2 for red R formed in a deep place ofthe semiconductor substrate 51.

The implantation plug 60 is configured by an impurity region formed toextend in the vertical direction of the semiconductor substrate 51continuously from an impurity region of the second photoelectricconversion unit PD2, by ion implantation of impurity.

In addition, the charge obtained by the second photoelectric conversionunit PD2 passes through the implantation plug 60 and is accumulated in aportion where reading is enabled at a field of a transfer gate 52 on asurface of the semiconductor substrate 51.

Meanwhile, a transfer gate 54 on the surface of the semiconductorsubstrate 51 is used in charge transferring from a first photoelectricconversion unit PD1 for blue B formed in a shallow place of thesemiconductor substrate 51.

In addition, a light shielding film 56 is formed above the semiconductorsubstrate 51 to cover a portion other than the first photoelectricconversion unit PD1.

Next, an operation when the charge is read is illustrated in FIG. 10B.

When the charge is read, the left transfer gate 54 is turned on and thecharge of the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 is read to a leftfloating diffusion (FD) 55, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 10B.

In addition, the right transfer gate 52 is turned on and the charge ofthe implantation plug 60 of the second photoelectric conversion unit PD2is read to a right floating diffusion (FD) 53, as shown by an arrow inFIG. 10B.

Because the implantation plug 60 is formed to extend from the deep placeto the shallow place of the semiconductor substrate 51, as theimplantation plug 60 advances toward the shallow place, a wavelength oflight to be absorbed becomes short.

For this reason, if light leaks into the implantation plug 60 during thecharge accumulation, a signal of the photoelectric conversion unit PD2of red R may be mixed with a signal of a short wavelength of blue or thelike.

Therefore, an upper side of the implantation plug 60 is covered with thelight shielding film 56 to perform superior color separation.

However, if the size of the solid-state imaging element decreases or thenumber of pixels of the solid-state imaging element increases and apixel size decreases, an amount of light to be obliquely incidentincreases.

If the amount of light to be obliquely incident increases, asillustrated in FIG. 11, the light to be obliquely incident is incidenton the implantation plug 60 of the lower side of the light shieldingfilm 56 and the charge generated from the red R light and the chargegenerated from the blue B light or the like having the short wavelengthmay be mixed in the implantation plug 60. Thereby, color mixture isgenerated in the signal charge and a color separation characteristic isdegraded.

In addition, because the light shielding film 56 is formed to cover theupper side of the implantation plug 60, an opening of the lightshielding film 56 is narrowed by an amount corresponding to theimplantation plug 60 and an aperture ratio decreases. According to thedecrease in the aperture ratio, sensitivity decreases.

In the structure according to the related art illustrated in FIGS. 10A,10B and 11, the implantation plug 60 is formed from the secondphotoelectric conversion unit PD2 formed in the deep place of thesemiconductor substrate 51 to the vicinity of the surface of thesemiconductor substrate 51 and a structure having a different absorptionwavelength band is connected. For this reason, it is necessary to formthe light shielding film 56 becoming the cause of the decrease in theaperture ratio on the implantation plug 60.

Meanwhile, in the structure according to this embodiment, the chargegenerated in the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 formed in thedeep place of the semiconductor substrate 11 is read by the longitudinaltransistor Tr1.

Because the structure according to this embodiment is a back surfaceradiation type structure, the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1formed at the side of the back surface (light incident surface) 16 ofthe semiconductor substrate 11 is formed at the side opposite to thesurface 15 to be a circuit formation surface.

Because a transfer gate is not provided at the side of the back surface16 to be the light incident surface, a ratio of an opening width withrespect to the aperture ratio, that is, the pixel size can be maximizedby forming the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 widely. Thereby,the sensitivity can be maximized.

In addition, an area of the second photoelectric conversion unit PD2formed at the side of the surface 15 of the semiconductor substrate 11can be increased, because the implantation plug 60 of the structureaccording to the related art is not provided.

In addition, because the longitudinal transistor Tr1 is used in reading,the depth of the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 formed in thedeep portion of the semiconductor substrate 11 can be made to beconstant and the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 can only have aconstant wavelength absorption band. Thereby, the color mixture that isgenerated by the implantation plug 60 of the structure according to therelated art illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B can be prevented from beinggenerated.

However, in actuality, during a charge transfer period during which thecharge is transferred to the floating diffusion 21 using thelongitudinal transistor Tr1, the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1formed in the deep portion of the semiconductor substrate 11 and thechannel portion formed around the longitudinal transistor Tr1 areconnected. For this reason, during the charge transfer period,photoelectric conversion components of portions having the differentdepths in the semiconductor substrate 11 are added, similarly to thestructure according to the related art.

However, because the charge transfer period during which thelongitudinal transistor Tr1 is turned on is sufficiently shorter thanthe charge accumulation period, a mixture color component during thecharge transfer period can be ignored.

During the charge accumulation period, the longitudinal transistor Tr1is turned off and the channel is not formed around the firstphotoelectric conversion unit PD1 and the longitudinal transistor Tr1.Therefore, the photoelectric conversion components of the portionshaving the different depths in the semiconductor substrate 11 are notadded.

In addition, the longitudinal transistor Tr1 is used, so that thephotoelectric conversion unit can be extended to a region not helpfulfor the photoelectric conversion by the formation of the implantationplug 60 in the structure according to the related art illustrated inFIGS. 10A and 10B.

In addition, because it is not necessary to form the light shieldingfilm 25 to suppress the color mixture in the portion of the longitudinaltransistor Tr1, the aperture ratio can be improved.

According to the configuration of the solid-state imaging deviceaccording to this embodiment described above, the signal charge on whichthe photoelectric conversion has been executed by the firstphotoelectric conversion unit PD1 formed at the side of the back surface16 of the semiconductor substrate 11 is read using the longitudinaltransistor Tr1.

Thereby, during the charge accumulation period during which thelongitudinal transistor Tr1 is turned off, because the channel is notformed around the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 and thelongitudinal transistor Tr1, the signal charge by the light having thedifferent wavelengths is not mixed. That is, the color mixture is notgenerated.

In addition, because the color mixture is not generated even though theportion of the gate electrode 21 of the longitudinal transistor Tr1 isnot covered with the light shielding film 25, the sensitivity can beimproved by increasing the aperture ratio of the light shielding film25.

In addition, the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 is formed overthe side of the back surface 16 of the portion 21A of the gate electrode21 of the longitudinal transistor Tr1 embedded in the semiconductorsubstrate 11.

Thereby, as compared with the structure in which the implantation plugis formed, the sensitivity can be improved by increasing the area of thefirst photoelectric conversion unit PD1.

Therefore, because the color mixture is not generated by theconfiguration according to this embodiment, a solid-state imaging devicehaving superior color separation and high sensitivity can be realized.

2. Second Embodiment (Solid-State Imaging Device)

A schematic structural view (a cross-sectional view of a main portion)of a solid-state imaging device according to a second embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of onepixel of the solid-state imaging device, similarly to FIG. 2.

In the solid-state imaging device according to this embodiment, astructure of a solid-state imaging element is set as a so-called surfaceradiation type structure in which light is made to be incident from thesame side as a circuit or a wiring line to a semiconductor substrate inwhich a light receiving unit is formed.

In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a first photoelectricconversion unit PD1 to execute photoelectric conversion on blue B lightis formed in a portion of the side of a surface 15 in a semiconductorsubstrate 11 and a second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 to executephotoelectric conversion on red R light is formed in a portion of theside of a back surface 16 in the semiconductor substrate 11. That is, anarray of the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 and the secondphotoelectric conversion unit PD2 at the side of the surface 15 and theside of the back surface 16 of the semiconductor substrate 11 isopposite to the case of FIG. 2.

In addition, a light reception surface on which light is incident isformed at the side of the surface 15 of the semiconductor substrate 11.

In addition, although not illustrated in the drawings, a circuitincluding a so-called read circuit and the like is formed at the side ofthe surface 15 of the semiconductor substrate 11.

In the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 of the side of thesurface 15 of the semiconductor substrate 11, a floating diffusion (FD)24 is provided at the left side through a transfer gate 23.

In this embodiment, particularly, a longitudinal transistor Tr1 isconnected to the second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 of the side ofthe back surface 16 of the semiconductor substrate 11.

The longitudinal transistor Tr1 is configured to have a gate electrode21 formed to be embedded to an inner portion of the semiconductorsubstrate 11 from the side of the surface 15 of the semiconductorsubstrate 11.

Thereby, the second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 is connected to achannel formed by the longitudinal transistor Tr1.

In addition, a floating diffusion (FD) 22 is provided in the surface 15of the semiconductor substrate 11 of the right side of the gateelectrode 21 of the longitudinal transistor Tr1.

In addition, the second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 is formed overthe side of the back surface 16 of a portion 21A of the gate electrode21 of the longitudinal transistor Tr1 embedded in the semiconductorsubstrate 11.

In addition, a light shielding film 25 is formed to cover a portion ofthe surface (a light incident surface and a circuit formation surface)15 of the semiconductor substrate 11 in which the first photoelectricconversion unit PD1 is not formed.

In the structure according to this embodiment, the charge generated inthe second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 formed in a deep place ofthe semiconductor substrate 11 is read by the longitudinal transistorTr1.

By this structure, areas of the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1and the second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 can be increased ascompared with the structure according to the related art illustrated inFIGS. 10A and 10B.

That is, because the implantation plug 60 of the structure according tothe related art illustrated in FIGS. 10a and B is not provided, a regionof the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 formed at the side of thesurface 15 of the semiconductor substrate 11 can be increased and anarea thereof can be increased, as compared with the structure accordingto the related art.

Meanwhile, the second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 formed at theside of the back surface 16 is formed over the side of the back surface16 of the portion 21A of the gate electrode 21 of the longitudinaltransistor Tr1 embedded in the semiconductor substrate 11 and isextended to almost the same area as an opening of the light shieldingfilm 25. Thereby, a ratio of a width of the photoelectric conversionunit with respect to a pixel size can be maximized and high sensitivitycan be obtained.

The other configuration is the same as the configuration of the firstembodiment and the structure illustrated in the plan view of FIG. 1 canbe adopted.

According to the configuration of the solid-state imaging deviceaccording to this embodiment described above, the signal charge on whichthe photoelectric conversion has been executed by the secondphotoelectric conversion unit PD2 formed at the side of the back surface16 of the semiconductor substrate 11 is read using the longitudinaltransistor Tr1.

Thereby, during a charge accumulation period during which thelongitudinal transistor Tr1 is turned off, because a channel is notformed around the second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 and thelongitudinal transistor Tr1, the color mixture is not generated.

In addition, because the color mixture is not generated even though theportion of the gate electrode 21 of the longitudinal transistor Tr1 isnot covered with the light shielding film 25, the sensitivity can beimproved by increasing the aperture ratio of the light shielding film25.

In addition, the second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 is formed overthe side of the back surface 16 of the portion 21A of the gate electrode21 of the longitudinal transistor Tr1 embedded in the semiconductorsubstrate 11.

Thereby, as compared with the structure in which the implantation plugis formed, the sensitivity can be improved by increasing the area of thesecond photoelectric conversion unit PD2.

Therefore, because the color mixture is not generated by theconfiguration according to this embodiment, a solid-state imaging devicehaving superior color separation and high sensitivity can be realized.

3. Third Embodiment (Solid-State Imaging Device)

A schematic structural view (a cross-sectional view of a main portion)of a solid-state imaging device according to a third embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of onepixel of the solid-state imaging device, similarly to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The solid-state imaging device according to this embodiment has a backsurface radiation type structure in which photoelectric conversion unitsof three layers are stacked in a semiconductor substrate.

In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the photoelectricconversion units of the three layers are stacked from the side of a backsurface (light incident surface) 16 of a semiconductor substrate 11 anda third photoelectric conversion unit PD3 of green G is provided betweenthe two photoelectric conversion units PD1 and PD2 according to thefirst embodiment.

Similarly to the first embodiment, a longitudinal transistor Tr1 is usedin reading the charge from the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1.

In this embodiment, a second longitudinal transistor Tr2 is used incharge reading from the third photoelectric conversion unit PD3. Thatis, the third photoelectric conversion unit PD3 is connected to achannel formed by the second longitudinal transistor Tr2.

The length of a portion 26A of a gate electrode 26 of the secondlongitudinal transistor Tr2 to be embedded in a semiconductor substrate11 is shorter than the length of a portion 21A of a gate electrode 21 ofthe first longitudinal transistor Tr1 to be embedded in thesemiconductor substrate 11.

In addition, a transfer gate formed on a portion not illustrated in thedrawings on a surface 15 of the semiconductor substrate 11 is used incharge reading from the second photoelectric conversion unit PD2. Thetransfer gate has the same configuration as the transfer gate 23 of FIG.2 and reads the signal charge from the second photoelectric conversionunit PD2 to a floating diffusion (FD) not illustrated in the drawings.

The third photoelectric conversion unit PD3 is formed over the side ofthe back surface 16 of the portion 26A of the gate electrode 26 of thesecond longitudinal transistor Tr2 embedded in the semiconductorsubstrate.

The first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 is formed from the side ofthe back surface 16 of the portion 26A of the gate electrode 26 of thesecond longitudinal transistor Tr2 embedded in the semiconductorsubstrate to the side of the back surface 16 of the portion 21A of thegate electrode 21 of the longitudinal transistor Tr1 embedded in thesemiconductor substrate 11.

Because the other configuration is the same as the configuration of thefirst embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, overlapped description isomitted.

According to the configuration of the solid-state imaging deviceaccording to this embodiment described above, the signal charge on whichthe photoelectric conversion has been executed by the firstphotoelectric conversion unit PD1 and the third photoelectric conversionunit PD3 formed in the semiconductor substrate 11 is read using thelongitudinal transistors Tr1 and Tr2.

Thereby, during a charge accumulation period during which thelongitudinal transistors Tr1 and Tr2 are turned off, because a channelis not formed around the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 or thethird photoelectric conversion unit PD3 and the longitudinal transistorTr1, the color mixture is not generated.

In addition, because the color mixture is not generated even though theportion of the gate electrode 21 of the longitudinal transistor Tr1 isnot covered with a light shielding film 25, sensitivity can be improvedby increasing an aperture ratio of the light shielding film 25.

In addition, the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 is formed overthe side of the back surface 16 of the portion 21A of the gate electrode21 of the longitudinal transistor Tr1 embedded in the semiconductorsubstrate 11. In addition, the third photoelectric conversion unit PD3is formed over the side of the back surface 16 of the portion 26A of thegate electrode 26 of the second longitudinal transistor Tr2 embedded inthe semiconductor substrate 11.

Thereby, as compared with the structure in which the implantation plugis formed, the sensitivity can be improved by increasing the areas ofthe first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 and the third photoelectricconversion unit PD3.

Therefore, because the color mixture is not generated by theconfiguration according to this embodiment, a solid-state imaging devicehaving superior color separation and high sensitivity can be realized.

4. Fourth Embodiment (Solid-State Imaging Device)

A schematic structural view (a cross-sectional view of a main portion)of a solid-state imaging device according to a fourth embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of onepixel of the solid-state imaging device, similarly to FIGS. 2 to 4.

The solid-state imaging device according to this embodiment has a backsurface radiation type structure in which photoelectric conversion unitsof three layers are stacked in a semiconductor substrate, similarly tothe third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.

In this embodiment, almost an entire portion has the same configurationas the configuration of the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.However, a partial configuration is different from the configuration ofthe third embodiment.

That is, in this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the length of aportion 26A of a gate electrode 26 of a second longitudinal transistorTr2 embedded in a semiconductor substrate 11 is almost the same as thelength of a portion 21A of a gate electrode 21 of a first longitudinaltransistor Tr1 embedded in the semiconductor substrate 11.

In addition, a first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 is formed not tooverlap the portion 26A of the gate electrode 26 of the secondlongitudinal transistor Tr2 embedded in the semiconductor substrate 11.

According to the configuration of the solid-state imaging deviceaccording to this embodiment described above, the signal charge on whichthe photoelectric conversion has been executed by the firstphotoelectric conversion unit PD1 and a third photoelectric conversionunit PD3 formed in the semiconductor substrate 11 is read using thelongitudinal transistors Tr1 and Tr2.

Thereby, during a charge accumulation period during which thelongitudinal transistors Tr1 and Tr2 are turned off, because a channelis not formed around the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 or thethird photoelectric conversion unit PD3 and the longitudinal transistorTr1, the color mixture is not generated.

In addition, because the color mixture is not generated even though theportion of the gate electrode 21 of the longitudinal transistor Tr1 isnot covered with a light shielding film 25, sensitivity can be improvedby increasing an aperture ratio of the light shielding film 25.

In addition, the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 is formed overthe side of a back surface 16 of the portion 21A of the gate electrode21 of the longitudinal transistor Tr1 embedded in the semiconductorsubstrate 11. In addition, the third photoelectric conversion unit PD3is formed over the portion 26A of the gate electrode 26 of the secondlongitudinal transistor Tr2 embedded in the semiconductor substrate 11.

Thereby, as compared with the structure in which the implantation plugis formed, the sensitivity can be improved by increasing the areas ofthe first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 and the third photoelectricconversion unit PD3.

Therefore, because the color mixture is not generated by theconfiguration according to this embodiment, a solid-state imaging devicehaving superior color separation and high sensitivity can be realized.

Here, if the configuration of the third embodiment and the configurationof the fourth embodiment are compared with each other, advantages of theconfigurations are as follows.

In the third embodiment, because the area of the first photoelectricconversion unit PD1 is large, sensitivity of read R light can beimproved.

In the fourth embodiment, because the depths of the gate electrodes 21and 26 of the two longitudinal transistors Tr1 and Tr2 in thesemiconductor substrate are almost the same, holes to bury the gateelectrodes 21 and 26 in the semiconductor substrate 11 can besimultaneously formed. Thereby, it is necessary to sequentially form theholes having the different depths in the semiconductor substrate 11. Ascompared with the structure of the third embodiment, the number ofmanufacturing processes can be decreased.

The configuration in which the photoelectric conversion units of thethree layers are stacked in the semiconductor substrate is not limitedto the back surface radiation type structure like the third embodimentor the fourth embodiment and can be applied to a surface radiation typestructure.

5. Fifth Embodiment (Solid-State Imaging Device)

A schematic structural view (a cross-sectional view of a main portion)of a solid-state imaging device according to a fifth embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of onepixel of the solid-state imaging device, similarly to FIGS. 2 to 5.

The solid-state imaging device according to this embodiment has acombination configuration of a structure in which photoelectricconversion units of two layers are stacked in a semiconductor substrateand the charge is read using a longitudinal transistor and a stackedtype photoelectric conversion layer having a color filter function and aphotoelectric conversion function arranged at the side of a lightincident surface.

In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a first photoelectricconversion unit PD1 and a second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 areformed in a semiconductor substrate 11 and a gate electrode 21 of alongitudinal transistor Tr1 is formed to be embedded in thesemiconductor substrate 11 from the side of a surface 15 of thesemiconductor substrate 11.

In addition, the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 of blue B isformed at the side of a back surface 16 of the semiconductor substrate11 and the second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 of red R is formedat the side of the surface 15 of the semiconductor substrate 11.

The first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 is formed over the side ofthe back surface 16 of a portion 21A of the gate electrode 21 of thelongitudinal transistor Tr1 embedded in the semiconductor substrate 11.

This configuration is almost the same as the configuration according tothe first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

In this embodiment, one organic photoelectric conversion unit thatreceives green G light and detects the light is provided at the side ofthe back surface 16 of the semiconductor substrate 11.

The organic photoelectric conversion unit is configured by sandwichingan organic photoelectric conversion layer 32 made of an organicphotoelectric conversion material between a first electrode 31 of thelight incident side and a second electrode 33 of the side of thesemiconductor substrate 11.

The organic photoelectric conversion layer 32 has a function of a colorfilter that absorbs green G light, executes photoelectric conversion,and transmits blue B and red R light.

The first electrode 31 and the second electrode 33 are formed of atransparent conductive material.

As the transparent conductive material of the first electrode 31 and thesecond electrode 33, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zincoxide, and the like can be used.

As an organic photoelectric conversion material of the organicphotoelectric conversion layer 32 that executes photoelectric conversionwith green G light, for example, organic photoelectric conversionmaterials including a rhodamine pigment, a merocyanine pigment,quinacridone, and the like can be used.

The second electrode 33 of the organic photoelectric conversion unit iselectrically connected to the semiconductor substrate 11 through awiring layer 34 having a section of a cross shape.

In a portion of the side of the back surface 16 of the semiconductorsubstrate 11 connected to the wiring layer 34, a contact region 30 isformed.

In addition, a charge accumulation region 29 is formed in thesemiconductor substrate 11 to be connected to the contact region 30.

The charge on which the photoelectric conversion has been executed bythe organic photoelectric conversion layer 32 passes the contact region30 via the second electrode 33 and the wiring layer 34 and isaccumulated in the charge accumulation region 29 in the semiconductorsubstrate 11.

The charge that is accumulated in the charge accumulation region 29 isread to a floating diffusion (FD) 28 formed at the side of the surface15 of the semiconductor substrate 11, by a transfer gate 27.

The wiring layer 34 is preferably formed of a metal material having alight shielding property such as tungsten, such that the wiring layer 34functions as a light shielding film for the charge accumulation region29.

The organic photoelectric conversion layer 32 of the organicphotoelectric conversion unit is formed to include a portion of the sideof the back surface 16 of the gate electrode 21 of the longitudinaltransistor Tr1 and a portion of the side of the back surface 16 of thecharge accumulation region 29 and have an area larger than the area ofthe first photoelectric conversion unit PD1. Thereby, as compared withthe configuration in which the organic photoelectric conversion layer isformed to have almost the same area as the area of the photoelectricconversion unit in the semiconductor substrate, sensitivity of green Glight in the organic photoelectric conversion layer 32 can be improved.

According to the configuration of the solid-state imaging deviceaccording to this embodiment described above, the signal charge on whichthe photoelectric conversion has been executed by the firstphotoelectric conversion unit PD1 formed at the side of the back surface16 of the semiconductor substrate 11 is read using the longitudinaltransistor Tr1.

Thereby, during a charge accumulation period during which thelongitudinal transistor Tr1 is turned off, because a channel is notformed around the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 and thelongitudinal transistor Tr1, the color mixture is not generated.

In addition, the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 is formed overthe side of the back surface 16 of the portion 21A of the gate electrode21 of the longitudinal transistor Tr1 embedded in the semiconductorsubstrate 11.

Thereby, as compared with the structure in which the implantation plugis formed, the sensitivity can be improved by increasing the area of thefirst photoelectric conversion unit PD1.

In addition, the organic photoelectric conversion layer 32 of theorganic photoelectric conversion unit is formed to have the area largerthan the area of the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1. Thereby,as compared with the configuration in which the organic photoelectricconversion layer is formed to have almost the same area as the area ofthe first photoelectric conversion unit, sensitivity of green G light inthe organic photoelectric conversion layer 32 can be improved.

Therefore, because the color mixture is not generated by theconfiguration according to this embodiment, a solid-state imaging devicehaving superior color separation and high sensitivity can be realized.

In the embodiment described above, as the combination of the colors, theorganic photoelectric conversion unit is set as green G, the firstphotoelectric conversion unit is set as blue B, and the secondphotoelectric conversion unit is set as red R. However, other colorcombinations can be used.

For example, the organic photoelectric conversion unit can be set as redR or blue B and the two photoelectric conversion units in thesemiconductor substrate can be set as other corresponding colors.

As the organic photoelectric conversion material to execute thephotoelectric conversion with red R light, organic photoelectricconversion materials including a phthalocyanine pigment can be used.

As the organic photoelectric conversion material to execute thephotoelectric conversion with blue B light, organic photoelectricconversion materials including a coumarin pigment, a merocyaninepigment, and the like can be used.

In addition, a combination of the organic photoelectric conversion layerand the photoelectric conversion unit according to the present techniquecan be applied to a surface radiation type structure.

In this case, as the photoelectric conversion units formed in thesemiconductor substrate, the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 ofthe blue B and the second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 of the red Rare arranged from the side of the light incident surface and the chargegenerated in the second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 of the red Ris read using the longitudinal transistor, similarly to the secondembodiment.

6. Sixth Embodiment (Solid-State Imaging Device)

A schematic structural view (a cross-sectional view of a main portion)of a solid-state imaging device according to a sixth embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of twoadjacent pixels of the solid-state imaging device.

The solid-state imaging device according to this embodiment has acombination configuration of a structure in which photoelectricconversion units of two layers are stacked in a semiconductor substrateand the charge is read using a longitudinal transistor and a structurein which a photoelectric conversion unit of one layer is formed in thesemiconductor substrate according to the related art and the charge isread using a transfer gate.

In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a first photoelectricconversion unit PD1 and a second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 areformed in a semiconductor substrate 11 and a gate electrode 21 of alongitudinal transistor Tr1 is formed to be embedded in thesemiconductor substrate 11 from the side of a surface 15 of thesemiconductor substrate 11.

In addition, the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 of blue B isformed at the side of a back surface 16 of the semiconductor substrate11 and the second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 of red R is formedat the side of the surface 15 of the semiconductor substrate 11.

The first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 is also formed over the sideof the back surface 16 of a portion 21A of the gate electrode 21 of thelongitudinal transistor Tr1 embedded in the semiconductor substrate 11.

In addition, a light shielding film 25 is formed to cover a portionother than the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 of the side ofthe back surface 16 of the semiconductor substrate 11.

This configuration is almost the same as the configuration according tothe first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

In this embodiment, in a first pixel in which the first photoelectricconversion unit PD1 and the second photoelectric conversion unit PD2 areformed, a color filter 35 of Magenta (Mg) is provided to be closer tothe light incident side than the light shielding film 25.

In addition, in a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel, a thirdphotoelectric conversion unit PD3 of green G is formed in thesemiconductor substrate 11 and a color filter 36 of green (G) isprovided to be closer to the light incident side than the lightshielding film 25. In addition, a transfer gate 27 to transfer thecharge on which the photoelectric conversion has been executed by thethird photoelectric conversion unit PD3 and a floating diffusion (FD) 28to which the charge transferred by the transfer gate 27 is transferredare provided at the side of a surface 15 of the semiconductor substrate11.

In addition, a planar array of color filters in this embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, color filters of magenta (Mg) and colorfilters of green (G) are arranged in a checkered pattern.

The planar array of the color filters is not limited to a checkeredarray illustrated in FIG. 8 and other planar array can be used.

In addition, kinds of colors of used color filters are not limited totwo kinds of magenta and green and other combination can be used.

According to the configuration of the solid-state imaging deviceaccording to this embodiment described above, the signal charge on whichthe photoelectric conversion has been executed by the firstphotoelectric conversion unit PD1 formed at the side of the back surface16 of the semiconductor substrate 11 is read using the longitudinaltransistor Tr1.

Thereby, during a charge accumulation period during which thelongitudinal transistor Tr1 is turned off, because a channel is notformed around the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 and thelongitudinal transistor Tr1, the color mixture is not generated.

In addition, the first photoelectric conversion unit PD1 is formed overthe side of the back surface 16 of the portion 21A of the gate electrode21 of the longitudinal transistor Tr1 embedded in the semiconductorsubstrate 11.

Thereby, as compared with the structure in which the implantation plugis formed, the sensitivity can be improved by increasing the area of thefirst photoelectric conversion unit PD1.

Therefore, because the color mixture is not generated by theconfiguration according to this embodiment, a solid-state imaging devicehaving superior color separation and high sensitivity can be realized.

7. Modification of Solid-State Imaging Device

In the solid-state imaging device according to the present technique,the configurations of the pixel unit and the peripheral circuit unit arenot limited to the configurations illustrated in FIG. 1 and otherconfigurations can be used.

In each embodiment described above, the photoelectric conversion unitsPD1, PD2, and PD3 composed of the photodiodes are formed in thesemiconductor substrate such as the silicon substrate.

In the present technique, the semiconductor layer to form thephotoelectric conversion units of the plurality of layers to be stackedis not limited to the semiconductor substrate and a semiconductorsubstrate in which a semiconductor epitaxial layer is formed, a siliconlayer on an oxide film of an SOI substrate, or the like can be used.

In addition, in the present technique, in addition to silicon, asemiconductor such as Ge or a compound semiconductor can be used as amaterial of the semiconductor layer.

The solid-state imaging device according to the present technique can beapplied to a camera system such as a digital camera or a video camera, amobile phone having an imaging function, and other apparatuses having animaging function.

8. Seventh Embodiment (Imaging Apparatus)

A schematic structural diagram (block diagram) of an imaging apparatusaccording to a seventh embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 9.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, an imaging apparatus 121 has a solid-stateimaging device 122, an optical system 123, a shutter device 124, adriving circuit 125, and a signal processing circuit 126.

The optical system 123 is composed of an optical lens and the like andforms image light (incident light) from a subject on a pixel unit of thesolid-state imaging device 122. Thereby, a signal charge is accumulatedin the solid-state imaging device 122 during a constant period. Theoptical system 123 may be an optical lens system including a pluralityof optical lenses.

As the solid-state imaging device 122, the solid-state imaging deviceaccording to the present technique such as the solid-state imagingdevice according to each embodiment described above is used.

The shutter device 124 controls a light radiation period and a lightshielding period for the solid-state imaging device 122.

The driving circuit 125 supplies a driving signal to control atransmission operation of the solid-state imaging device 122 and ashutter operation of the shutter device 124. The signal transmission ofthe solid-state imaging device 122 is performed by the driving signal(timing signal) supplied from the driving circuit 125.

The signal processing circuit 126 executes various signal processes. Avideo signal on which the signal processes have been executed is storedin a storage medium such as a memory or is output to a monitor.

According to the configuration of the imaging apparatus 121 according tothis embodiment described above, the solid-state imaging deviceaccording to the present technique such as the solid-state imagingdevice according to each embodiment described above is used as thesolid-state imaging device 122, so that the color mixture can beprevented from being generated and the sensitivity can be improved.

In the present technique, the configuration of the imaging apparatus isnot limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 9 and anyconfiguration other than the configuration illustrated in FIG. 9 inwhich the solid-state imaging device according to the present techniqueis used can be used.

Note that the present disclosure may include the followingconfigurations.

(1) A solid-state imaging device including: a semiconductor layer inwhich a surface side becomes a circuit formation surface; photoelectricconversion units of two layers or more that are stacked and formed inthe semiconductor layer; and a longitudinal transistor in which a gateelectrode is formed to be embedded in the semiconductor layer from asurface of the semiconductor layer, wherein the photoelectric conversionunit of one layer in the photoelectric conversion units of the twolayers or more is formed over a portion of the gate electrode of thelongitudinal transistor embedded in the semiconductor layer and isconnected to the channel formed by the longitudinal transistor.

(2) The solid-state imaging device according to (1), wherein thesolid-state imaging device has a back surface radiation type structurein which a back surface side of the semiconductor layer becomes a lightincident surface.

(3) The solid-state imaging device according to (1) or (2), wherein,during a charge accumulation period, the longitudinal transistor isturned off, the channel of the longitudinal transistor is not formed,and a floating diffusion and the photoelectric conversion units are notconnected.

(4) The solid-state imaging device according to any of (1) to (3),wherein the photoelectric conversion units of three layers are stackedin the semiconductor layer and one longitudinal transistor is providedfor each of the photoelectric conversion unit of the first layer and thephotoelectric conversion unit of the second layer from the back surfaceside of the semiconductor layer, among the photoelectric conversionunits of the three layers.

(5) The solid-state imaging device according to any of (1) to (3),further including: a photoelectric conversion unit that is arranged at alight incident surface side of the semiconductor layer and is configuredfrom an organic photoelectric conversion layer.

(6) The solid-state imaging device according to (5), wherein the organicphotoelectric conversion layer is formed over the light incident surfaceside of the gate electrode of the longitudinal transistor.

(7) The solid-state imaging device according to any of (1) to (3),wherein a first pixel having the photoelectric conversion units of twolayers that are stacked and formed and a second pixel having aphotoelectric conversion unit to execute photoelectric conversion onlight of a color different from colors in the photoelectric conversionunits of the two layers of the first pixel are included, a pixel unit isconfigured by regularly arranging the first pixel and the second pixeltwo-dimensionally, and color filters having different absorptionwavelengths are provided on the first pixel and the second pixel,respectively.

(8) An imaging apparatus including: an optical system; a solid-stateimaging device according to any of (1) to (7); and a signal processingcircuit that processes an output signal of the solid-state imagingdevice.

The present technique is not limited to the embodiments described aboveand other various configurations can be taken without departing from thegist of the present technique.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1, 122 Solid-state imaging device-   2 Pixel-   3 Pixel unit-   4 Vertical driving circuit-   5 Column signal processing circuit-   6 Horizontal driving circuit-   7 Output circuit-   8 Control circuit-   9 Vertical signal line-   10 Horizontal signal line-   11 Semiconductor substrate-   12 Input/output terminal-   15 Surface-   16 Back surface-   21, 26 Gate electrode-   22, 24, 28 Floating diffusion-   23, 27 Transfer gate-   25 Light shielding film-   29 Charge accumulation region-   30 Contact region-   31 First electrode-   32 Organic photoelectric conversion layer-   33 Second electrode-   34 Wiring layer-   35, 36 Color filter-   121 Imaging apparatus-   123 Optical system-   124 Shutter device-   125 Driving circuit-   126 Signal processing circuit-   PD1 First photoelectric conversion unit-   PD2 Second photoelectric conversion unit-   PD3 Third photoelectric conversion unit-   Tr1 Longitudinal transistor-   Tr2 Second longitudinal transistor

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An imaging device comprising: a first photoelectricconversion region disposed in a semiconductor substrate; a first gate ofa first transistor, a part of the first gate of the first transistorbeing disposed in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the part of thefirst gate of the first transistor comprises a first end at a firstsurface of the semiconductor substrate; and a second gate of a secondtransistor, a part of the second gate of the second transistor beingdisposed in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the part of the secondgate of the second transistor comprises a second end at the firstsurface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein a first part of thefirst photoelectric conversion region is disposed between the part ofthe first gate of the first transistor and a second surface of thesemiconductor substrate, the second surface of the semiconductorsubstrate being opposite the first surface of the semiconductorsubstrate.
 22. The imaging device according to claim 21, wherein asecond part of the first photoelectric conversion region is disposedbetween the part of the first gate of the first transistor and the partof the second gate of the second transistor in a plan view.
 23. Theimaging device according to claim 21, wherein the second surface of thesemiconductor substrate is a light incident side of the semiconductorsubstrate.
 24. The imaging device according to claim 21, wherein a firstpixel comprises the first photoelectric conversion region, the firstgate of the first transistor, and the second gate of the secondtransistor.
 25. The imaging device according to claim 21, wherein thepart of the second gate of the second transistor is disposed adjacent tothe first photoelectric conversion region.
 26. The imaging deviceaccording to claim 21, wherein any part of the first photoelectricconversion region is not disposed between the part of the second gate ofthe second transistor and the second surface of the semiconductorsubstrate.
 27. The imaging device according to claim 21, wherein thepart of the first gate of the first transistor comprises a third end inthe semiconductor substrate, the part of the second gate of the secondtransistor comprises a fourth end in the semiconductor substrate, andthe third end of the part of the first gate of the first transistor andthe fourth end of the part of the second gate of the second transistorare disposed at the same depth of the semiconductor substrate.
 28. Theimaging device according to claim 21, wherein the first transistor is atransfer transistor.
 29. The imaging device according to claim 21,wherein the second transistor is a transfer transistor.
 30. The imagingdevice according to claim 21, wherein the part of the first gate of thefirst transistor comprises a third end in the semiconductor substrateand wherein the third end is in contact with the first photoelectricconversion region.
 31. The imaging device according to claim 21, whereina charge generated in the first photoelectric conversion region isconfigured to be read by the first gate of the first transistor.
 32. Theimaging device according to claim 21, further comprising a firstfloating diffusion disposed at the first surface of the semiconductorsubstrate and disposed adjacent to the first end of the part of thefirst gate of the first transistor, wherein a charge generated in thefirst photoelectric conversion region is configured to be transferred tothe first floating diffusion using the first gate of the firsttransistor.
 33. The imaging device according to claim 21, furthercomprising a read circuit, wherein the first surface of thesemiconductor substrate is disposed between the read circuit and thesecond surface of the semiconductor substrate.
 34. The imaging deviceaccording to claim 21, wherein the first photoelectric conversion regionis configured to be sensitive to blue light.
 35. The imaging deviceaccording to claim 21, further comprising a light shielding film,wherein the second surface of the semiconductor substrate is disposedbetween the light shielding film and the first surface of thesemiconductor substrate.
 36. The imaging device according to claim 21,further comprising a second photoelectric conversion region disposed inthe semiconductor substrate, the second photoelectric conversion regionbeing disposed between the first photoelectric conversion region and thefirst surface of the semiconductor substrate.
 37. The imaging deviceaccording to claim 36, wherein the second photoelectric conversionregion is disposed adjacent to the part of the first gate of the firsttransistor.
 38. The imaging device according to claim 36, wherein thesecond photoelectric conversion region is configured to be sensitive tored light.
 39. The imaging device according to claim 36, furthercomprising a third gate of a third transistor disposed on the firstsurface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein a charge generated inthe second photoelectric conversion region is configured to be read bythe third gate of the third transistor.
 40. An electronic apparatuscomprising: an optical system; a signal processing circuit; and animaging device comprising: a first photoelectric conversion regiondisposed in a semiconductor substrate; a first gate of a firsttransistor, a part of the first gate of the first transistor beingdisposed in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the part of the firstgate of the first transistor comprises a first end at a first surface ofthe semiconductor substrate; and a second gate of a second transistor, apart of the second gate of the second transistor being disposed in thesemiconductor substrate, wherein the part of the second gate of thesecond transistor comprises a second end at the first surface of thesemiconductor substrate, wherein a first part of the first photoelectricconversion region is disposed between the part of the first gate of thefirst transistor and a second surface of the semiconductor substrate,the second surface of the semiconductor substrate being opposite thefirst surface of the semiconductor substrate.